URBANIZATION
Contents
1. Introduction 188
2. Urbanization and Associated phenomenon 188
2.1. Urban Agglomeration 188
2.2. Over-Urbanization 189
2.3. Sub-Urbanization 189
2.4. Counter-Urbanization 189
2.5. Census Towns 189
3. Process of Urbanization 190
3.1. Expanding Cities 190
4. Urbanization in India 191
5. Social effects of Urbanization 192
5.1. Family and kinship 192
5.2. Urbanization and Caste 192
5.3. Urbanization and the Status of Women 193
6. Problems of Urbanization 193
6.1. Housing and Inflated Land Prices 193
6.2. Housing and Slums 194
6.3. Over Crowding 194
6.4. Water supply, Drainage and Sanitation 194
6.5. Transportation and Traffic 194
6.6. Pollution 195
7. Urbanization and Governance 195
8. Major Programmes Currently in the Area of Urban Development 196
9. Way Forward 197
9.1. Inclusive Cities 197
9.2. Financing 197
9.3. Planning 197
9.4. Local capacity building 198
10. GS Mains Test Series Questions 198
11. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions 208
1. Introduction2. Urbanization and Associated phenomenon2.1. Urban Agglomeration2.2. Over-Urbanization2.3. Sub-Urbanization2.4. Counter-Urbanization2.5. Census Towns3. Process of Urbanization3.1. Expanding Cities(World Urbanization Prospects: the 2014 Revision)5. Social effects of Urbanization5.1. Family and kinship5.2. Urbanization and Caste5.3. Urbanization and the Status of Women6. Problems of Urbanization6.1. Housing and Inflated Land Prices6.2. Housing and Slums6.3. Over Crowding6.4. Water supply, Drainage and Sanitation6.5. Transportation and Traffic6.6. Pollution7. Urbanization and Governance8. Major Programmes Currently in the Area of Urban Development9. Way Forward9.1. Inclusive Cities9.2. Financing9.3. Planning9.4. Local capacity building10. GS Mains Test Series Questions1. “As opposed to conventional urban sprawls, the new urbanization is rapidly incorporating villages into its fold.” Elaborate this statement in the context of the growth of census towns in 2011 census.Answer:2. Describe “counter-urbanization” and “suburbanization” in the context of India.Answer:3. Urbanisation and migration have increased the vulnerability of elderly in India. Comment. Also, discuss the measures which should be taken to address their vulnerabilities.Answer:4. In post-independence India, cities were expected to be a vehicle for social change, but they also became the symbols of contradictions, which had been plaguing the countryside for a long time. Comment.Answer:5. Rapid urban growth in the context of scarce socio-economic and legal support to the poor is an inevitable recipe for mass production of slums. Discuss in the context of India.Answer:6. With overpopulated cities and their strained infrastructure, India is in the midst of an urban crisis. How far can the Smart Cities Mission help in upgradation of existing cities in the country? What are the reservations of local bodies with respect to this mission?Answer:7. Give an account of the factors driving people to migrate from the countryside to urban areas even if it entails living in slums. Highlight some important facts about slums unique to India. Also discuss some strategies which can be adopted for transforming India's slums.Answer:Unique FactsStrategies for Transformation8. Whereas the UN Habitat report calls cities “the highest pinnacles of human creation”, the moot question is what form the cities of developing world should take. In context of this statement, examine the contending strategies of urbanisation, with respect to India.Answer:9. Rather than being a transitory phenomenon of fast-growing economies, today's slums pose deeper, persistent structural problems and represent major policy challenges. Discuss in the context of India.Answer:Policy challenges10. While suburbanisation is a common phenomenon in most urbanising countries, it is occurring at a relatively early stage of India’s urban development. Enumerating the reasons behind this development, highlight the challenges it is creating for Indian cities.Answer:Reasons:Way Forward:11. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions1. Introduction2. Impact of Globalization on Indian Culture2.1. Homogenization versus Glocalization of cultureGlocalization of Culture2.2. Revival of Culture3. Impact of Globalization on Women in India3.1. Positive of Globalization3.2. Negative Aspects of Globalization4. Impact of Globalization on Youth in India5. Impact of Globalization on FamilyStructure of the familyFunctions of the familyInter-personal relations6. Impact on Caste System7. Socio-Economic Impact of GlobalizationPositive Impact includesNegatives7.2. Impact of Globalization on Informal sector7.3. Impact of Globalization on Agriculture8. Globalization and Environment8.1. Ways in Which Globalization Affects Environment8.2. Ways in Which Environment Affects Globalization9. Way Forward10. GS Mains Test Series Questions1. How has globalization affected Indian culture? Does it pose a threat to our indigenous crafts and knowledge systems?Answer:2. Intensified globalization has resulted in a transformation of youth in India. Comment. Approach:3. Critically evaluate if globalization is transforming “social inequalities” into “economic inequalities”.Answer:4. Instead of ushering in a classless society, globalization has in fact brought about a distinct class divide and also strengthened the caste system in India. Critically examine.Answer:5. “Globalization will end up making all cultures of the world homogeneous”. Critically examine the statement taking examples from socio-cultural and economic life of India.Answer:6. Discuss the impact of globalization on mass media in India. Also examine whether cinema influences society or it is vice-versa.Answer:7. Even though globalisation has led to increased employment opportunities for women, it has also created a new set of challenges for women workers. Discuss with examples.Answer:11. Previous Year UPSC GS Mains Questions